HUNTSVILLE, AL -- This year's Sept. 11 remembrance will be symbolic for two reasons: The 2001 terrorism attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people, and the 12th and final journey of the Tennessee Valley's Honor Flight.

For only one day, nearly 110 World War II veterans from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee will visit memorials emblematic of the blood, sweat and tears they sacrificed for our freedom.

"September 11 will be all the more important when we bring a group of veterans to the World War II memorial and other monuments," said Joe Fitzgerald, president of the Tennessee Valley Honor Flight. "This will be a demonstration of our nation's resolve against terrorism.

"When you have people like this, these veterans, you cannot be defeated," he said.

To help with the $102,000 cost of Honor Flight, James Henley - president of the Huntsville Jaycees - presented Fitzgerald a $5,000 check Monday afternoon at the organization's board meeting.

"Our biggest fundraiser each year is the Northeast Alabama State Fair and this time we heard it was Honor Flight's last flight, so we wanted to honor them," Henley said. "We are sorry to see its last flight, but let us know when you all get your heads together because we would like to help," he said to the board.

By the end of the 12th flight this year, Honor Flight will have transported approximately 1,300 veterans to Washington, D.C. Since the organization has raised enough money for its final flight, Fitzgerald said, the remaining funds will be used to finance either an exhibit or memorial at Huntsville's Veterans Memorial Museum.

Also participating will be 110 volunteers called "guardians" who are responsible for one veteran. Forty guardians from Huntsville will attend along with 70 guardians from Washington, D.C. Orientation for the Sept. 11 flight is at 2 p.m. Aug. 5.

"This is a very special flight," Fitzgerald said. "It's with mixed emotions we bring this program to a close, but these veterans would not have had the opportunity to go if it wasn't for the people in this community."